Rohingya Genocide

What is the Rohingya Genocide?

Historical and geographic context

The Rohingya are a Muslim ethnic minority from Rakhine State, Myanmar. Decades of discriminatory laws—especially the 1982 Citizenship Law—rendered most Rohingya stateless and exposed them to systematic abuse. Human Rights Watch
In August 2017, Myanmar’s military launched “clearance operations” marked by mass killings, rape, and village burnings, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh. Today, nearly a million Rohingya live in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char. OHCHR

International recognition

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) urged investigation and prosecution of senior commanders for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. OHCHR
The United States (2022) formally determined that Myanmar’s military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya. U.S. Department of State
At the International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Gambia v. Myanmar is proceeding under the Genocide Convention (with provisional measures in place and jurisdiction affirmed). International Court of Justice
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating crimes linked to the forced deportation of Rohingya into Bangladesh (an ICC State Party).

Seven core patterns of harm

1) Mass killings and massacres

The FFM documented widespread, coordinated killings of Rohingya civilians during 2017 operations, implicating senior military leadership. OHCHR

2) Widespread sexual violence

Investigators recorded systematic rape and other forms of sexual violence used to terrorize and destroy Rohingya communities. OHCHR

3) Village burnings and destruction

Entire Rohingya villages were burned, erasing homes and evidence and preventing safe return. OHCHR

4) Forced displacement across borders

More than 700,000 people fled to Bangladesh in months; almost a million remain in camps today, with humanitarian needs outpacing resources. Human Rights Watch

5) Statelessness by law

The 1982 Citizenship Law effectively denies Rohingya citizenship, enabling pervasive movement restrictions and abuses. Human Rights Watch

6) Apartheid-like segregation inside Myanmar

Roughly 600,000 Rohingya who remain live under severe restrictions on movement, access to services, and livelihoods. Human Rights Watch

7) Obstruction of aid and unsafe conditions for return

International bodies stress that conditions in Myanmar are not safe, voluntary, or dignified for repatriation.

Major crimes and features of the Rohingya genocide

A state-led campaign combined mass violence (killings, rape, arson) with structural persecution (statelessness, segregation, movement restrictions). Survivors remain in exile or under apartheid-like conditions, while accountability efforts move forward in The Hague. (OHCHR)

“The Mission has concluded that there is sufficient information to warrant the investigation and prosecution of senior officials in Myanmar’s military for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.” OHCHR

“I have determined that members of the Burmese military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Rohingya.” — U.S. Secretary of State, Mar 21, 2022. U.S. Department of State

Reports and resources

UN Fact-Finding Mission (2018): Calls for investigation/prosecution of senior commanders for genocide and related crimes. OHCHR
U.S. Genocide Determination (2022): Official U.S. finding of genocide and crimes against humanity. U.S. Department of State
ICJ – The Gambia v. Myanmar: Case page & judgments (jurisdiction; provisional measures). International Court of Justice
ICC – Bangladesh/Myanmar: Situation overview & investigation authority. icc-cpi.int
UNHCR ODP – Bangladesh: Up-to-date population dashboards for Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char. Data UNHCR
HRW – Rohingya: Background on 1982 Citizenship Law and ongoing repression. Human Rights Watch

How AGVC audiences can help

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